Page 14 - CFAN_Aug2014

PUBLISHER LETTER
CASTING A LINE TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE FSGA AGRITECH SHOW
AFTER THE TWO DAYS, we had a lot of entries, and the lucky winner was Antonio Chavez (pictured here with me).
to know that as growers, we can share this information in order to help each other succeed. If you have any questions about how social media can help you expand the business of your diversified ag operation, I’m going to give CFMG a shameless plug, and encourage you to contact us. Our team of experts can help you develop the marketing plan and content materials necessary to help take your ag operation to the next level.
NELSON KIRKLAND, Publisher nelson@centralfloridamediagroup.com
AS A VENDOR at the latest Florida Strawberry Growers Association Agritech Show in Plant City, Central Florida Media Group (CFMG) was able to meet some pretty awesome people and learn a lot about our friends in the strawberry industry.
Very appropriate for this edition’s “Florida Outdoors” theme in Central Florida Ag News, the emphasis of this year’s Agritech Show was helping growers “fish for up-to- date information.” So, all of the booths were decked out in bait and tackle and other fishing gear. At our table, we had a free drawing for a Penn Rod and Reel combo. After the two days, we had a lot of entries, and the lucky winner was Antonio Chavez (pictured here with me).
Besides the fun we had and new friends we made, we also learned a lot about the industry and what growers are doing to diversify. One small farm is not just growing strawberries, but also blueberries. Plus, they’re in their first year of growing blackberries. By offering u-pick for
these commodities, they’ll be able to
keep their operation in harvest and
open to the public seven months out of
the year! After chatting with these folks
about their operation, I asked them
how they keep the public informed of
what’s happening on their farm. As
you know, factors like weather and other variables can change the hours of operation for a u-pick very quickly, so keeping the loyal and potential customers informed is a must in order to be successful. They shared with me that they’ve had a lot of success with e-newsletters and social media (specifically, Facebook).
I couldn’t agree with them more. As a grower myself, I’ve experienced firsthand how Facebook, regular e-newsletters, and advertising in relevant niche publications like Central Florida Ag News can help improve the business for our u-pick. So, it’s encouraging
14 | CFAN
FloridaAgNews.com
Advantage Hedging and
Topping
April Miller,
2010/2011 South Florida Small Business of the Year
~Business Leaders Magazine
owner